Tax Strategies and SALT Limit Impact - The article discusses strategies to keep taxable income below the $500K threshold to avoid increased tax liabilities, particularly through the use of tax-efficient ETFs instead of mutual funds [1][5] - The new SALT (state and local taxes) deduction limit has sparked debate, with some lawmakers arguing it unfairly penalizes residents in higher-tax states, while proponents believe it grants states more authority over tax rates [2] - High earners with adjusted gross income (AGI) over $500K face a "SALT torpedo," which can increase their effective tax rate by 30% due to a phaseout of benefits [3] Investment Opportunities - Commercial real estate investments can provide tax efficiencies through 1031 exchanges, allowing deferral of capital gains taxes when reinvesting in new assets [6] - A real estate investment platform, mogul, offers fractional ownership in high-quality rental properties, providing monthly rental income and tax benefits [7][8] - Each property on the platform is vetted for a minimum 12% return, with an average annual internal rate of return (IRR) of 18.8% and cash-on-cash yields of 10% to 12% [8] Financial Management and Advisory Services - Wealth management services like Range provide tax projections to help clients navigate investment decisions and optimize tax implications [12] - Financial advisors can assist in structuring finances to avoid the SALT torpedo by investing in sheltered assets and maximizing IRA contributions [14]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are reacting impulsively to the momentum trade, driven by fears that AI could disrupt traditional sectors such as insurance and wealth management [1] Group 1 - The current market sentiment is characterized by a lack of thorough analysis, with investors prioritizing immediate action over careful consideration [1] - Concerns are rising that AI technologies may significantly impact established industries, leading to potential shifts in investment strategies [1]

Market Overview - Stocks are higher due to cooler than expected inflation data, although there has been a recent sell-off [1][2] - The Nasdaq composite and S&P 500 are up, with real estate, healthcare, and utilities leading the gains as investors rotate away from tech [2] - Walmart reached an all-time high, while Visa, Nvidia, and Apple saw declines [3] Inflation and Economic Indicators - January's consumer price index (CPI) showed slower inflation, the lowest since May, with improvements in food and energy prices [6][7] - Services inflation remains high, indicating persistent inflationary pressures [7][22] - The unemployment rate dropped to 4.3%, with job growth concentrated in healthcare and social assistance sectors [9][10] Federal Reserve Outlook - Chicago Fed President Austin Goulby emphasizes the need for more progress on inflation before considering further rate cuts [28][29] - Core inflation is projected to remain around 3%, which is above the Fed's target [30][31] - The Fed is cautious about making premature rate cuts, focusing on actual inflation and employment data [21][26] Sector Performance - Semiconductor and software stocks are showing mixed performance after a recent sell-off [4][5] - Defensive sectors like consumer staples and utilities are gaining traction as investors seek stability amid market volatility [57] - AI disruption fears are impacting various industries, including transportation and real estate, as companies adapt to new technologies [51][52] Company Highlights - Rivian reported better-than-expected Q4 results, achieving its first annual gross profit and strong guidance for future vehicle deliveries [63][64] - Applied Materials, a major supplier of chipmaking equipment, has seen significant stock gains due to increased demand driven by AI investments [70][71] - American Superconductor is focusing on enhancing grid reliability and power quality to meet rising electricity demands [81][82]

Q4 net earnings were $322.4 million, up 26.6% year over year in the quarter. Earnings per share hit $1.36.Record annual adjusted net earnings were $1.09 billion, or $4.61 per share, up about 16% year over year. Annual net earnings were $1.1 billion or $4.64 per share, up about 18%.Assets under management and advisement reached $310.1 billion in Q4 — up nearly 15% year over year. IG Wealth Management had assets under advisement of nearly $159 billion, a roughly 13% year-over-year increase and record quarter- ...

Core Viewpoint - The stock market is experiencing significant turmoil due to fears surrounding AI technology, leading to a historic sell-off in various sectors, particularly software, which has seen a loss of $2 trillion in market capitalization [1][4]. Software Sector - A historic sell-off in the software sector resulted in the largest non-recessionary drawdown in 30 years, with $2 trillion in market cap erased in just a few days [4]. - The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF is down 1% for the week and has plunged 20% year-to-date [5]. Insurance and Wealth Management - Stocks of insurers and wealth managers faced heavy selling pressure after the introduction of a new AI tool by Altruist, which could assist clients with tax planning [6]. - The iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF is down 6% this week due to fears that AI could impact margins in fiduciary services [6]. Real Estate Sector - Real estate firms began to sell off as investors considered the potential disruption AI could cause to client services offered by large firms [8]. Trucking Sector - The trucking sector experienced a significant decline after Algorhythm Holdings, a former karaoke machine maker, published a paper on its AI freight-scaling tool, which could enhance logistics efficiency [9]. - The iShares US Transportation ETF is down 3% for the week, while shares of Algorhythm spiked over 30%, trading around $1.25 [10].

Aurelion Announces 1-for-10 Share Consolidation [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationHONG KONG, Feb. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aurelion Inc. (NASDAQ: AURE) ("Aurelion" or the "Company") announces the approval of the proposed 1-for-10 share consolidation of the Class A ordinary shares ("Class A Ordinary Shares") and Class B ordinary shares ("Class B Ordinary Shares", together with the Class A Ordinary Shares, the "Ordinary Shares") of US$0.000625 par value each (the "Share Consolidation").Beginning with t ...

Logistics companies have joined software makers, insurance brokers and wealth managers among the industries battered by fear of AI’s disruptive power https://t.co/44s6PAOHPd ...

By Lewis Krauskopf NEW YORK, Feb 13 (Reuters) - U.S. stock investors will be on guard next week for further volatility induced by fears of artificial intelligence disruption as they also assess the durability of a rotation beneath the market's surface, along with upcoming earnings from Walmart ‌and fresh economic data. The benchmark S&P 500 closed on Thursday down 0.2% for the year, but that modest change belies significant swings in ‌pockets of the market. After sinking shares of software companies t ...

Core Viewpoint - U.S. stock investors are bracing for volatility due to fears of AI disruption while assessing market rotations and upcoming earnings from Walmart and economic data [1] Group 1: Market Sentiment and AI Impact - Concerns over AI disruption have led to significant stock price fluctuations, particularly affecting software companies and industries like insurance and transportation [1] - The sentiment surrounding AI is described as a "whack-a-mole" game, with investors uncertain about which sectors will be impacted next [1] - The technology sector, which has been a leader in the bull market since October 2022, has seen a decline of over 4% this year due to these fears [1] Group 2: Market Rotations and Sector Performance - Despite the technology sector's struggles, other sectors such as energy, consumer staples, materials, and industrials have risen by at least 10% in 2026, indicating a shift in market leadership [1] - Small-cap stocks have also experienced significant gains, suggesting a broader market participation that could be beneficial for overall market health [1] - The shift in investor psychology towards these lagging sectors is becoming more pronounced, as noted by market strategists [1] Group 3: Upcoming Earnings and Economic Data - Walmart's quarterly earnings report is anticipated to provide insights into consumer spending trends, especially after U.S. retail sales remained unchanged in December [1] - Walmart's stock has increased by 20% this year, pushing its market capitalization above $1 trillion, making it the largest company in the consumer staples sector [1] - Upcoming economic reports include the advance reading of fourth-quarter GDP, a consumer sentiment survey, and the personal consumption expenditures price index, which are crucial for assessing economic stability [1]

Group 1: Cisco and AI Impact - Cisco is experiencing margin compression despite a strong sales outlook, with a noted 200 basis point erosion in margins [2][4][15] - The company is a leading global provider of equipment for corporate and data centers, playing a significant role in powering AI workloads [3][15] - Investors are questioning the implications of heavy infrastructure buildout and the potential for stronger productivity and margins over time [5][6] Group 2: Apple and Siri Challenges - Apple is facing delays in the rollout of new Siri features, originally planned for launch in June 2024, with some capabilities now pushed to September [17][18] - Despite these setbacks, iPhone sales remain strong, with $84 billion in sales reported, although manufacturing challenges could have impacted higher sales [19] - The competitive landscape is shifting, with companies like OpenAI and Google potentially advancing faster in AI capabilities [20] Group 3: Wealth Management and AI Disruption - The introduction of a new AI tax planning tool by Altruist has led to significant declines in wealth management stocks, with market capitalization potentially wiped out in the tens of billions [28][29] - Altruist aims to enhance wealth management accessibility and efficiency, reducing the time required for tasks that previously took multiple people hours to complete [31][32] - The market reaction indicates a strong sentiment against traditional wealth management firms, as AI tools are seen as equalizers in the industry [30][31] Group 4: Cryptocurrency Market Trends - Bitcoin has seen a continuous decline, impacting trading volumes and revenues for exchanges like Coinbase, which are heavily reliant on transaction fees [85][86] - The overall sentiment in the crypto market is bearish, with expectations of lower revenues due to decreased trading activity [88] - Coinbase is attempting to diversify its revenue streams, including launching prediction markets, but these initiatives are still in early stages [89]